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North Thompson Ck.. oe. 2 We returned to the site on Sept. 16~' without Mr. Stover and continued the inspection. We began by walking the reclaimed refuse disposal azea. All areas including the rip rapped perimeter diversion ditches are stable and functional. The area is well vegetated and dominated by wheatgrass. We discussed permanent retention of the refuse pile sediment pond. This structure could be left to facilitate grazing management on the reclaimed area. We walked all the reclaimed disturbance of the Mine No. 1 azea. We inspected the water treatment system which includes three water treatment impoundments in series. We used a Hach pH kit to test water in the impoundments and the discharges from both Mines No.l & 3 into the long pond (first pond in the series). AI I the water tested ranged from 7.0 to 7.5 pH. Sediments cleaned out of the long pond this summer will have to be removed from the site or disposed in an approved location on the permit area.The NPDES outfall was dischargipg during the inspection and Mr. Walker took a flow measurement. The two sedimentation ponds for the Mine No. I area were completely dry. We inspected the reclaimed Mine. No. l portal areas. This area is stable and the vegetation is dominated by cicer milk vetch. The backfili material has settled exposing the concrete foundation or head walls for the manway and fan portal entrances (two separate locations). The permittee has recently placed additional backfili materials here attempting to cover the head walls but they aze still exposed. Additional backfili is necessary to cover the exposed concrete (minimum of 6 inches required if not specified in the backfilling and grading/portal sealing plans). We inspected the former loadout area and associated roads. The road is being retained to facilitate the post mining land use. The upper pad azea is being utilized to store hay. The outslope is well stabilized with wheatgrasses dominating and no erosion evident. The lower conveyor corridor was inspected and is also well stabilized. There aze at least two additional concrete footers for the former conveyor which must be removed from the reclaimed azea. This concluded the field inspection. We conducted a records review at the Garfield County Courthouse in Glenwood Springs. Mr. Walker was able to locate [he required permitting and environmental monitoring records. Records reviewed included: current bond is $171,000.00 with Colorado National Bank; NPDES permit has expired, the permtttee has submitted the renewal application in a timely manner, and the monthly DMR's are current (there have not been any NPDES exceedences for the past two years and probably longer); liability insurance is current through May 10, 2000; the 1998 Annual Hydrology Report was on file and required surface water, ground water, and refuse pile piezometer monitoring is presented in the annual report. This concluded the inspection. Please address any questions concerning this report to Henry Austin at haustin@osmre.eov or to 303-844-1400 X 1466.